SINTX TECHNOLOGIES FILES PATENT RELATED TO ANTIPATHOGENIC COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS
March 23 2020 - 9:00AM
SINTX Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SINT) (“SINTX” or the “Company”),
an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ceramics company focused
on silicon nitride applications, today announced that US and
international patent applications were published on March 12, 2020
in which certain claims made in the applications address the
potential surface antiviral effect of silicon nitride. The US
application is numbered US 2020/0779651 A1 and titled
“Antipathogenic Devices and Methods Thereof.” The international
application is numbered WO 2020/051004 A1 and titled
“Antipathogenic Compositions and Methods Thereof.”
Dr. Sonny Bal, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of SINTX, explained that “As background, SINTX manufactures
spine implants made of silicon nitride; these have been used in
thousands of spinal fusion surgery patients for over ten years.
Basic science and clinical data have repeatedly shown the efficacy
and safety of silicon nitride as a spinal implant material. Of
interest is a particularly unique property of silicon nitride,
i.e., its ability as a biomaterial to resist bacterial adhesion, a
precursor to implant-related infections. Silicon nitride’s
resistance to bacteria has been verified in several in vitro and
animal studies that have been published by SINTX scientists, as
well as by independent investigators.”
“The impetus for testing silicon nitride against
viruses was to extend our understanding of the unique surface
chemistry of silicon nitride, and attendant antibacterial
properties. In our experiments, we exposed three strains of
pathogenic viruses to silicon nitride, namely, Influenza A virus
(A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 H1N1), Feline calicivirus, and Enterococcus
71 (EV-A71). These three viral entities were selected because of
their different genomic and virion structures, surface isoelectric
points, and their propensity to mutate. The individual molecular
composition of the capsid proteins and RNA of the selected viruses
confer distinct specificity and infectivity characteristics. Of
note, these studies were undertaken before the novel COVID-19
coronavirus and its health risks became known.”
“Remarkably, we found inactivation of all three
viral strains as early as one minute after exposure to silicon
nitride. The primary mechanism of inactivation appears to be RNA
cleavage and fragmentation induced by specific, off-stoichiometric
chemical reactions, and by the release of reactive nitrogen species
on the surface of our material.”
“Our findings with viral inactivation on silicon
nitride are consistent with prior knowledge of the other properties
of silicon nitride, (i.e., bacterial resistance, and enhanced bone
formation). Mechanistic details of the antibacterial effects of
silicon nitride have been previously published by SINTX in the peer
literature. A scientific paper related to the antiviral findings is
under preparation for peer review and publication.”
“Recent findings published in the New England
Journal of Medicine by the National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases show that the COVID-19 coronavirus survives for
hours, and even days on materials such as stainless steel, plastic,
cardboard, and even copper. Viral persistence on these surfaces
contributes to the risk of disease transmission. Ideally, surface
inactivation of viral contamination should be effective within
minutes, not hours or days. We are anxious to see how the COVID-19
coronavirus will react when exposed to silicon nitride. We are
looking for testing facilities and partners who can help us examine
the effect of our silicon nitride on the COVID-19 coronavirus, and
have applied for federal funding to support this effort.”
“While SINTX has the technology to apply silicon
nitride coatings and treatments to a variety of surfaces and
materials used in daily living, at this stage the antiviral effects
of silicon nitride published in our patent filing reflect in vitro
experimental findings only, and we strongly caution against making
any inferences beyond that limited data set. We look forward to
independent work by others in this area, and seek partners who can
help us with further inquiry into the observed antiviral surface
properties of silicon nitride. It is our hope as a company to
reduce the risk of microbe transmission, contribute to improved
global health, and make the world a safer place” said Dr. Bal.
About SINTX Technologies,
Inc.
SINTX Technologies is an OEM ceramics company
that develops and commercializes silicon nitride for medical and
non-medical applications. The core strength of SINTX Technologies
is the manufacturing, research, and development of silicon nitride
ceramics for external partners. The Company manufactures silicon
nitride material and components in its FDA registered and ISO 13485
certified facility.
For more information on SINTX
Technologies or its silicon nitride material platform, please visit
www.sintx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) that are subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties that may cause such
differences include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent
in research and development, including the cost and time required
advance our products to regulatory submission; market acceptance of
our products once cleared and commercialized; our ability to raise
additional funding and other competitive developments. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made
and reflect management’s current estimates, projections,
expectations and beliefs. There can be no assurance that any of the
anticipated results will occur on a timely basis or at all due to
certain risks and uncertainties, a discussion of which can be found
in SINTX’s Risk Factors disclosure in its Annual Report on Form
10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on
March 11, 2019, and in SINTX’s other filings with the SEC. SINTX
disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
SINTX undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update the
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that
arise after the date of this report.
Contact:SINTX
Technologies801.839.3502IR@sintx.com
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